Passings

Meir Amit

Ex-head of Israel intelligence

Meir Amit, 88, a former general who headed Israel's famed Mossad intelligence agency, died Friday after a long illness.

Amit was Mossad chief from 1963 to 1968. Under his leadership, the agency provided crucial intelligence that led to Israel's victory in the 1967 war when the country defeated its Arab enemies in six days.

Amit, who was born Meir Slutzki in 1921, grew up in a kibbutz in northern Israel before enlisting in the pre-state Hagana movement. He later joined the army and moved up the ranks to become a general and head of military intelligence.

After his military service, Amit briefly entered politics and served as minister of transportation and minister of communications.